Steering mechanism for automobile torpedoes.



P. M. LEAVII'T. STEERING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILE TOR-PEDOES. APPLICATION FILED MAR.28, 1912.

'1,080,1 1 6, v Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

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F. M. LEAVITT.

STEERING MECHANISM .FOR AUTOMQBILE TORPBDOES. APPLICATION FILED MAR.28, 1912. 1 ,O8(), 1 1 6, Patented Dec. 2, 1 913.

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INVENTOR WITNESSES: W 711 'M, fl/L/M v By 14270777815,

I @MMQWJQ m P. LEAVITT. STEERING MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILE TORPEDOBS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR.28, 1912.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

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INVENTOR v WITNESSES: 1

Y which the following is'a specification. v

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NIT D; STATES PATENT, a

1 EnANx n. LEAvIr'I', 0E smII'HTowN, NEW YORK, AssIeNon '10 E. w.,'E I.Iss comrAN 0E BROOKLYN, NEw YORK, A coEPoEATIoN OF. w su: VIRGINIA.

STEERING MEcIIANIsm FOR AUTOMOBILE TonPEDoEs.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1913.

Application filed March 28, 1912. Serial No. 686,868.

.Smitht-own, in the county of Suffolk and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steering Mechanism forv Automobile Torpedoes, of

The steering of automobile torpedoesvrequires two steering mechanisms, the one for lateral steering or steering in the horlzontal plane, and the other-for depth steeringor steering in the vertical plane." The former employs a vertical rudder, that is,one turnmg on a vertical axis; while the latter employs a horizontal rudder, that IS one turning on a horizontal axis. Heretofore these steering mechanisms have been entirely distinct, being separately fitted into the torpedo 20 hull, .and separably removable for adjustment or inspection.

According to the present invention the two steering mechanisms are assembled in oneunit so that they'may be lnserted into or removed from the torpedo hull as one structure. This construct1o-n conduces to comp'actness, which is a primary requisite in an automobile torpedo; and it greatly facilitates the manipulation of the steering mechanisms andtheir adjustment and testing.

The invention also provides other features of construction incidental to these steermg mechanisms.

In the accompanying drawings my invention is shown as applied to atorpedo of the so much thereof bein shown as is necessary toa comprehension 0 the applicatm-n of the present invention.

Figure 1 1s va vertical longitudinal section of the after part ofthe torpedo body or hull,

the tail portion-beingpartly in elevation;

Fig. '2 is a similar iew, the sect-ion being in the horizontal plane; Fig. 3 is an elevation on a larger scale of the steeringunit and thepe'ndulumwhich is associated w1th the de th steering mechanism; Fig. 4 is a vertical" 0 gitudinal mid-section on a still larger scale, showing the steering unit, some. portions thereof being in elevation; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragment of Fig. 4; Fig. 5 is a frag mentary plan of the parts shown in'Fig. 4"; I

Fig. 6 is'a fragmentary horizontal; section on the line 66 in Fig. 4"; Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section of the torpedo hullshowin I parts of the depth steering mechanism an the depth adjusting means.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the, torpedo hull or shell and B B the screw propellers. g Y 1 G G are the vertical rudders mounted'on the usual connecting shaft (1' and having the usual tiller arm C p D D are, the usual .horizontal rudders mounted on the'connectingshaft D and having the tiller arm D. i

the usual pendulum for cooperating with the depth steering mechanism.

G is the eral steering mechanlsm.

The respective steering mechanisms sl ces/ ncomprise steering engines or so-called servo motors for operating the respective rudders;

and the depth steering engine being lettered J. The engine H transmits movement through a rod 0 to the tiller of. the verticalrudders C; and the engine J communicates motion throu h a rod d to the tiller of the horizontal ru Hand J may be replaced by any equivalent steering mechanism -The lateral steering mechanism includes any suitable control mechanism operated by the Lgyroscope G. 7 Various. such control mechanisms are known in the art... Similarly the dei th steering mechanism comprisesin control mechanism whereby this engine regyroscope which controls E is as a whole the steering unit, and F is v the lateral steering engine being lettered H I ders D. :The steering engines as in addition to the" enginaH or its equivalent, i

addition to the engine J or its equivalent, a f

sponds .to thecontrol exercised by;t;he;r.e-

.ciprocal action of a' hydrostat the pendulum F.- No novelty is claimed. for these respective control mechanisms, which will be presently described, but which me be substituted lin means. i

T he steering unit E comprises a support by any other' knowncontr ing frame or shell L which is adapted to be fastened removably to the torpedo hull, and which is shaped to support the respective elements of the lateral and depth steering mechanisms. The supportL comprises preferably a base a'adapted'to fit into an cal axis) around the disk M.

opening in the bottom 'of the hull, and an upright shell 6 mounted thereon, this shell. serving both to inclose the gyroscope and as a support forthe engine cylinders J and H. The support includes also a shell e covered by a cap f 'so as to clamp between them the diaphragm g of the hydrostat; The cap f is formed with upright tubular ex; tensions kforming chambers infclosing the springs S S of the hydrostat;

The lateral steering mechanism will now be described.

The gyroscope Gis of the usual construction comprising a fly-wheel hung in gimbal rings and having mechanism (not shown) for spinning the fly-wheel and then unlocking its rings during the launching 'of the torpedo, as is well understood. The gyroscope is conveniently inclosed fwithin the shell 6 in the manner shown in my Patent No. 925,709 granted June 22", 1909. The outer ring of the gyroscope is mounted-to turn on a vertical axis in the usual manmi, and is connected as heretofore to acam diskM (Figs. 4, 4? and 6). This camidi'sk.

is thus held in fixed relation to the gyroscope, which as is well known tends to re:-

tain fixity of direction in space. As the pedoveers from its prescribed course t;

the engine H to move to the opposite end causes the support L to (u on a vertihis relative motion is utilized in the fhiown manner for operating the steering mechanism. For the purpose of description, however, it is more convenient to treat the torpedo hull and 'theframe L and chamber 6 as remaining fixed, andlth disk M as being turned on the vertical axis'bythe gyroscope. In any suitable way this relative movement is availed of to impart motion to the valve of the steering engine H. Of the several means for this purpose known in the art,

v the one here illustrated is of essentially the character set forth in United States'Patent No. 795,045 granted July 18, 1905. The

"cam disk M performs the function of the disk lettered d in said 'patent, being modified to substantially the form shown in Patperipheral cam ribs-y 2 upon the disk M. The feeler is mounted onthe lower end of a light spindle i the upper end of which.

' according to the position of the latter relatively to the torpedo either be centrally positionedby the projection :11, or will receive of the cam dis thus the feeler O is turned to right-"'or left and. consequently. turnsthe spindle z" and finger O. The receding movement then causes the finger O to move against one or other of two-pallets Q Q (Fig. 5). These pallets are connected so that when.

one is pushed back theother moves forward. The connection 'shown is by means of parallel arms is and a connecting link Z. Either pallet Q is" connected to a rod m which in turn is connected to the valve stem of the engine Thus as the disk M is,

turned relatively to the other par-ts by the gyroscope, its cam ribs cause the feeler O to turn to. right or left, so that at. the next movement of the finger 0' it encounters the nearest tappet Q, or Q, and pushes this back, thus rocking the tappets and moving the rod m endwise so as to reverse the valve, and consequently cause the piston of of its stroke. This movement is communicated through the rod 0 to the tiller operating the vertical rudders C C, so that these .alposition such that oneof its toes is lifted the corresponding -cani rib, while the otherjoomes against-the peripheral surface rudders are moved from port to starboard or vice versa. For reciprocating the slide 1? it is connected to an eccentric 1? formed integrally with a bevel gear which is driven by a bevel pinion n on a shaft P which is geared to the propeller shaft B, a fragment only of the latter being shown in'.Fi 4.

The depth steering mec anism or socalled diving gear will now be described.

As is well known, the depth mechanism is controlled primarily by a hydrostat, and

secondarily by the pendulum F, the function of the hydrostat being to determine the set depth which the torpedo shall tend to follow, and. the function of the pendulum being to keep the tor edo level and check any attempt to rise or ive. The hydrostat K comprises essentially, the diaphragm g which is exposed on its under side to the water pressure admitted through a reduced opening e (Fig. L) and receives on its upper side the downward pressure of the springs S. The diaphragm is connected to a lever arm 3 fixed on a shaft R on which isifixed "an upright arm R, these constituting a primary lever. The arm R moves at its free end above a stop-flange, as shown in Fig. 4, which limits its downward movement when the diaphragm is relieved of hydrostatic pressure. The arm R carries on its upper end a pivot 27 on which is hung a secondary lever T the lower arm of which is connected to the pendulum F, while its upper arm connects with the valve rod g of the steering engine J. The form of this engine here shown is of the floating valve type, the valve working in a chamber within the piston; but any type of engine may be used, or the engine may be substituted by any eq'uivalent steering mechanism.

Thependulum F is connected to the lower arm of the lever by means of the rod 7- which is, connected to the pendulum through buifer springs as usual, and is connected to the lever arm by a suitable separable connection. The connection shown has. a pin or stud r on the lever arm and a hook on the end of the od 1', as shown in- Fig. 3. As the pen- 'middle support t and which connect to the pendulum through a rod 23 in the usual manner, their function being to reslst any swing of the pendulum and tend to hold it in its mid-position.

The use of two springs S S is preferable for symmetry and because, owing to'the central position of the propeller shaft B, it is impossible to locate a single spring in the center. By using two springs they may be placed each side of this shaft as shown-\in Fig. 7. They areshown as helical springs compressed between adjust-able upper abutments S anda rock lever K, which serves as an equalizer and bears centrally upon the top plate of the diaphragm. For adjusting the depth-steering mechan sm to determine the depth to which it shall'steer the torpedo, the stress of the springs S S isadjusted by raising or lowering their upper abut-ments S. These abutments require to be adjusted restrained from rotation and engaged by ad- 7 simultaneously and equally. For this purpose they are constructed as vertical slides justing screws orthreaded rods U U passing through them and having means for turning them simultaneously. .The rods U U pass out through stufling boxes in the tops of the respective tubular shells h and their upper ends are provided with square socket-pieces.

or key-heads U, which, when the unit E is put in place in the torpedo, are engaged by turning means permanently located in the torpedo shell, which means may advanta geously be constructed as shown in Fig. 7. These means comprise square shafts V V having pinions o o in mesh with an intermediate gear V, the spindle of which passes out through a stufling box in the shell and terminates in a head V sunk in a suitable socket and squared for engagement with a .wrench or key by which it can be turned both, to such effect that the depth-steering apparatus acts to steer the torpedo to the prescribed depth, and thereupon corrects any tendency to rise or fall and hence to maintain the torpedo at such depth, as is well understood.

In order to remove the steering unit from the torpedo shell, it is only necessary to unscrew the attaching screws in its flange and remove it through the bottom opening in the.

hull. This movement automatically disconnects the adjusting heads U from the keyrods V; and disconnects the pin r from the hooked end of the rod 1". The tiller rods 0d may have been previously disconnected from the engine piston rod, or their connections may be such as to automatically disconnect themselves as the unit is withdrawn.

When the steering mechanisms are in the form of compressed air driven engines H and J, any suitable means may be provided for leading the compressed air to these engines, this means'either being separable before the removal ofthe unit, or being automatically separated by such movement, as preferred.

When the steering unit is removed from the torpedo hull it may be placed upon a testing-stand and subjected to any of the prescribed tests for determining that the various elements of thesteering mechanisms are in correct adjustment and operate in the required manner. Also, if any part becomes broken or impaired the entire unit maybe set aside for repairs and a duplicate unit may be inserted in the torpedo in its place.

This invention is subject to considerable modification in matters of detail, as the mechanical construction of the various parts or elements may be greatly varied without .departing from the'essential features of the invention.

In' place of the vertical and horizontal rudders any other lateral and depth-steering means may be provided.

I claim as my invention 1.'In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth steering means, of steering mechanisms for such respective means, and a single support for both such mechanisms, removable at will from the hull.

2. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth steering rudders, of steering mechanisms for such rudders, and a single support for both such mechanisms, removable at will from the hull.

3. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateraland depth steering means, of steering engines for such respective means, and a single support for both such engines removable at will from the hull.

4. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth steering means, of a removable steering control unit comprising a support detachably united to the hull, and lateral and depth steering mechanisms carried by said support and having detachable connections with their respective steering means.

5. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth steering rudders, of steering engines for such respective rudders, having detachable connections with their respective rudders, and means for operating their respective valves, and a support carrying said engines and valve-operating means as a single unit, removable as a whole from the hull.

6. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth-steering rudders, of steering mechanisms for such rudders, and a single support for both such. mechanisms, removable at will from the hull, the lateral steering mechanism comprising a gyroscope carried by said support.

7. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth-steering rudders,

of steering mechanisms for suclf rudders and a single support for both such mechanisms removable at will from the hull, the lateral steering mechanism comprising a gyroscope carried by said support, a cam disk oscillated by said gyroscope, a reciprocating fe'eler moving toward and from such cam disk, tappets actuated according to the position of such feeler, and a connection from said tappets for controlling said lateral steering mechanism.

8. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth steering-rudders, of steering mechanisms for such rudders, and a single" support for both such mechanisms, removable at will from the hull, the depthsteering'mechanism comprising a hydrostat carried by said support. v

9. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth steering rudders,

of steering mechanisms for such rudders, and a single support forv bothsuch mechamsms,

removable at will from the hull, the depth-.

steering mechanism comprising a hydrostat carried by said support, and a pendulum mounted in the hull, and a detachable connection between such pendulum and the steering mechanism.

10. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth steering rudders, of steering mechanisms for such rudders, and a single support for both such mechanisms, removable at will from the hull, the depthsteering mechanism comprising a hydrostat carried by said support, a lever actuated by said hydrostat, a secondary lever hung on said lever and connected to operate the steering mechanism, and a pendulum connected to said secondary lever.

11. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateraland depth steering rudders, of steering mechanisms for such rudders, and

a single support for both such mechanisms,

' springs pressing upon said diaphragm, and

said support comprlsing upright shells inclosing said springs and arranged to either ,side of the propeller shaft of the torpedo.

12. In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth steering rudders, of steering mechanisms for such rudders, and a single support for both such mechanisms, removable at will from the hull, the depth steering mechanism comprising a hydrostat carried by said support, said hydrostat comprising a diaphragm and a pair of upright springs, an equalizing lever through which the stress of said springs is communicated-to said diaphragnnand said support comprising upright shells inclosing said springs and arranged to either side oft-he propeller shaft of'the torpedo.

13. In atorpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth steering rudders, of steering mechanisms for such rudders, and

' a single support for both such mechanisms, removable at will from the hull, the depth steering mechanism comprising a hydrostat carried by said support, such hydrostat comprising a diaphragm and a spring with ad justing means for such spring comprising an upright rotative rod carried by said support, and means-for turning such rod carried by the torpedo hull. v

14, In a torpedo, the combination with the hull and lateral and depth steering rudders, of steering mechanisms for such rudders, and a single support for both such mechanisms, removable at will from the hull, the depth steering mechanism comprising a hydrostat carried by said support, such hydrostat comprising a diaphragm and a pair of ,oso,11e 3 springs with means for adjusting 'the stress In witness whereof, I havehereunto signed of said springs, comprising upright rotative my name in the presence of'two subscribing 10 screw rods carried bysaid support, means witnesses. carried by the torpedo hull for engaging the respective rods, and a rotative part accessi- 1 ble from the exterior and geared to said respective means whereby to simultaneously adjust both'springs.

' FRANK-M. LEAVITT.- Witnesses:

-H. C. Smmn,

G. W. A. MURRAY. 

